Even if you weren’t able to join the "Love the Bus" campaign in time for Valentine’s Day, the American School Bus Council (ASBC) notes that Love the Bus continues throughout February.

The council is calling on members of the pupil transportation industry to help educate parents, school board members, lawmakers and other public policymakers about the many benefits of safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly school transportation service.

The ASBC has developed a variety of tools and projects to help you engage in proactive activities, which may include:

• Asking teachers and students to log on to www.lovethebus.com to customize and print or e-mail Love the Bus cards for bus drivers.

• Encouraging schoolchildren to write a thank-you letter or story or to draw a picture for their bus driver.

• Sharing important safety information with teachers, parents and children by holding a school bus safety drill or exhibit.

• Printing and distributing nametags, bumper stickers and other materials available on www.lovethebus.com.

  You can also find additional information to promote school bus safety year-round in a new toolkit designed specifically for school transportation personnel.

  The toolkit contains lots of downloadable material with important school bus safety information, including coloring pages and a brand new educational book called Carmen Loves the Bus. (Hard copies of the book may also be available; call the ASBC at (202) 530-4599 for more info.)

  To access the toolkit, go to www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org and click on the "Take Action" link.